Latest news > Uzbek woman killed by husband because of her Christian faith

Uzbek woman killed by husband because of her Christian faith

19 February 2019

An Uzbek mother was killed by her husband on 9 February because she had recently become a Christian.

“Umida”, a Muslim-background Christian, was attempting to flee the country to seek refuge in Istanbul with Christian friends, when her husband confronted her at Tashkent Airport and slit her throat.

Previously, the man had locked Umida in their home to prevent her from going to church and banned her from seeing their two-year-old son after discovering she had asked a friend to get her an Uzbek Bible.

Umida’s parents had taken their daughter to live at their home and allowed her to go to church but she continued to receive threats from her husband.

Friends of Umida have asked for prayers for her parents and her son.

Uzbekistan, a former Soviet Union republic, is officially secular but more than 90% of the population is Muslim. Churches are required by law to register, but stringent requirements make it nearly impossible for most churches to do so. Uzbek Christians (who are converts from Islam and their children) face frequent persecution including violent raids on meetings and homes.